The Royal College of Surgeons of England is working with the surgical specialty associations and the NHS Commissioning Board to develop commissioning guidance across the surgical specialties. The guidance will outline for Clinical Commissioning Groups what high value care looks like as well as measures to ensure the safety and quality of high volume surgical services.

The College is looking for patients, GPs and commissioners who are willing to help them develop evidence-based, workable, patient-centred guidance in common surgical conditions across all surgical areas. Current topics under development include rectal bleeding, gall bladder disease, reflux, paediatric surgery, post bariatric surgery and varicose veins. The RCS aims to use a broad-based approach to integrated care transcending traditional primary and secondary care boundaries.

If you, or your service users, are interested in shaping the future of patient care and think you can contribute practical expertise, they would like to hear from you. The total commitment is likely to be 2-3 face to face sessions over 4 months; it is likely much work will be undertaken via email and teleconference